How do I restore a Windows 7 laptop that had Windows 8

[ACMDogfight1997]

I have an HP Envy Dv7-7223cl that had Windows 8 pre-built, but was reinstalled with Windows 7. I have a retail copy of Windows 7 Ultimate (both 32 and 64 bit) that was used to install Windows 7 onto it. Is there a way to completely erase all applications that didn't come with Windows 7?

 

[theog]

To reinstall Windows 8, use HP OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks.

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD. (Windows 8 only)
Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
System Repair Disc - Create in Windows 8 (Windows 8 only)
​

You can order the Microsoft official HP/Compaq OEM Recovery disks from the HP/Compaq OEM manufacturer's website.
https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc...&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4132&product=5309543&sw_lang=
How Do I Order or Download System Recovery Software? - YouTube

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

For Windows 8, yes, but for Windows 7, no. And if you must know, I'm trying to reinstall Windows 7 with its default programs, not Windows 8.

 

[Slartybart]

You have a retail Win7 disc and you want to but have not yet written over Win8 on the machine - correct?

You should create the Win8 Recovery disc set first. If you don't plan on putting Win8 back on the machine, that's ok. Make the Recovery disc set anyway. I think there are four discs - one will be a drivers disc.

You can only make one set while Win8 is still on the machine and if you install Win7, you won't be able to make a set. If don't make the Recovery disc set and change your mind sometime in the future, you will have to pay for the set.

Just make the Win8 Recovery disc set.

Since it's a retail Win7 disc, you won't have any OEM bloatware when you install it.
I think that's what you were asking.

 

[theog]

To Downgrade to Windows 7.
YES & NO, down to your UEFI/BIOS firmware setting.

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.

2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.


You will need to buy Windows 7.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

I have made a recovery set with Windows 8 and right now have Windows 7 installed. What I'm trying to figure out is how to reinstall Windows 7 with having only the programs the came with the Windows 7 retail disc I bought. I hear that PC manufacturers have software to make this possible, but I think that is for PCs that have Windows 7 pre-built while mine originally had Windows 8.

 

[gregrocker]

Check the HP Support Downloads webpage foryour model to see what software they make available.

I would not reimport any of the bloatware as it defeats the purpose of a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Check over those steps now to see that you're handling drivers correctly in the first driver-complete OS, and the tools and methods which work best for Win7 in its superior native state.

What programs exactly do you want? Most are available elsewhere.

 

[SIW2]

Not sure I follow the question.
If you clean install 7 , it will only have the programs that come with MS original win7.

If you have a weird oem supplied recovery disc for 7 , that may have added junk, is that what you have?

The answer is to d/l a proper win7 SP1 with media refresh iso. Link in Gregs tutorial he mentions above.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

I have a retail copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and I want to reinstall it to get rid of the programs I already installed and leave the ones that came with Windows.

 

[gregrocker]

Then follow Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
which provides everything you need to get and keep a perfect install.

Pay close attention to the sections in Red about how driver are best handled in Win7, and the Special Note to HP Owners at the end of the tutorial which explain how to keep the HP built-in diagnostics and Recovery partitions bootable even after a Clean Reinstall. In addition on some late model HP's you can choose a Minimal HP System Recovery from boot which is nearly the same as a Clean Reinstall but includes everything except the bloatware.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

Then follow Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
which provides everything you need to get and keep a perfect install.

Pay close attention to the sections in Red about how driver are best handled in Win7, and the Special Note to HP Owners at the end of the tutorial which explain how to keep the HP built-in diagnostics and Recovery partitions bootable even after a Clean Reinstall. In addition on some late model HP's you can choose a Minimal HP System Recovery from boot which is nearly the same as a Clean Reinstall but includes everything except the bloatware.

Are the files on Digital River retail copies of Windows 7? I don't want enter a product key that won't activate Windows after I cleaned my PC.

The current Windows version I have came from a disc similar to this (except mine was 64-bit and had SP1 and said 6/11 X15-60566-03 under © 2011 Microsoft.):

Luckily, the product key that came with it was genuine.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, you will be fine.

All the official iso contain all the images. The difference is a little ei.cfg file, which determines the edition (Ultimate. Pro, etc. ) offered for install. It is there to make it easier for users, so they do not install an edition for which they don't have a key. That can easily be removed, so you have the choice to install any edition from just one iso.

No difference between the retail boxed dvd and the boxed oem (systembuilder) dvd.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

So you're saying if I delete ei.cfg, I won't need a product key to validate Windows?

 

[SIW2]

You will need a product key to activate, of course.

Deleting ei.cfg means all the editions will be presented to you when you boot the install media. Select the one you have a key for, obviously.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

Well I have a Windows 7 Ultimate product key, and I've downloaded the Windows 7 Ultimate ISO file so I'm good.

So apparentally you'll need to delete the ei.cfg file if you have a product key for a certain edition of Windows that you can't get.

 

[derekimo]

So apparentally you'll need to delete the ei.cfg file if you have a product key for a certain edition of Windows that you can't get.

That is usually only needed for Home Basic or Starter versions.

A lot of tech enthusiasts who work on other peoples computers like to have the all in one installer for ease of use.